Bayelsa Governor Honoured for Local Government Reforms

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has received the prestigious Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Best Governor Award on Local Government Reforms.

This recognition acknowledges his administration’s commitment to transforming the local government system and prioritizing the welfare of workers at the grassroots level.

The governor’s administration has introduced significant fiscal policy reforms, yielding impressive results. Notably, the implementation of an N80,000 minimum wage for council workers and an additional 25-30% salary increase have improved the financial well-being of workers.

Furthermore, over N20 billion has been paid as gratuities to retired workers since 2020, providing relief to thousands of beneficiaries.

The state government has also taken on the responsibility of paying primary school teachers’ salaries, ensuring stability in the education sector.

These reforms have repositioned the local government system for better service delivery, earning Governor Diri recognition as a champion of local government reforms.

In a symbolic gesture, cheques worth N12 billion were presented to over 1,000 retirees across the eight local government areas, providing them with much-needed financial relief.

Governor Diri emphasized that prompt payment of salaries and gratuities should be standard practice, not an achievement, highlighting his personal experience as a motivating factor for prioritizing this issue.

The NULGE President, Comrade Aliyu Kankara, praised Governor Diri’s administration for prioritizing workers’ welfare and implementing reforms that have enhanced the livelihood of the people.

The governor’s commitment to securing the livelihood of the people, enhancing food availability, and generating more revenue has earned him this prestigious award.